The Irish raider - one of three Aidan O'Brien horses in the race - streaked home to pip Zenda and claim the �145,000 prize.

Dolores - fourth in the 1,000 Guineas last month - came home third while strong favourite Gossamer struggled to come to terms with the firm ground and trailed in last.

It was a second Group One success of the week for O'Brien and jockey Mick Kinane.

"Sophisticat has an unbelievable amount of pace and when Mick got clear she really flew," said O'Brien.

"She has been very unlucky as things have to go her way - she is a brilliant filly but she has plenty of attitude.

Kinane relieved

"She kept meeting Queen's Logic last year when circumstances did not work in her favour but she is a filly with an awful lot of ability."

Kinane was called before the stewards inquiring into possible interference with Lady High Havens as Sophisticat made her way through the field.

A ban would have ruled him out of the ride on High Chaparral in next weekend's Budweiser Irish Derby but the stewards decided not to take any action.

Kinane said: "You have got to ride her that way and she needs as much cover as you can give her then you need to produce her late."

The stewards also looked into the poor run of Gossamer but with trainer Luca Cumani unable to offer any explanation, they did not hold an inquiry.

Coronation Stakes (1m)

1. Sophisticat 11-2
2. Zenda 7-1
3. Dolores 5-1
(11 ran)

Distance: Nk, 2�